Abu Dhabi: Although Saeed Al Muhairi took up motor racing seriously at 19 , he is now —five years later — just two steps away from reaching Formula One.
The 24-year-old is just one of the handful of UAE drivers with an International B licence and is now passionately working towards an A and then the Super Licence for F1 racing.
Aiming for the top, Al Muhairi said: "That is my aim, to get ‘A' and then I am only one step away from F1, so now I am in level three."
Aspiring race car drivers start with a National C then progress to an International C, International B and International A and after that it is the Super Licence with which one can join the elite F1 band of drivers.
Nothing is impossible
"Nothing is impossible. My aim is to reach the top level, it doesn't matter where. I have a plan and I'm going about it. I will give it another 3 to 4 years, see what my ability is. For me it does not matter which category, but I want to reach the top level," said Al Muhairi.
"Every Emirati has a passion for driving, but many don't have the guidance. I had friends and we used to go karting. It was there that I realised I was fast and I thought, maybe I have some talent and that was what pushed me. I wanted to go higher," he said.
Al Muhairi was one of the three from over 600 applicants who were selected to pursue a one-year motor sports course in a French Academy.
"I was selected to this one-year course in France after I completed my studies in the US. It was a full-time course and subjects included guidance on how to be a world class driver with training courses in allied aspects like media, fitness, etcetera. We visited many European circuits for some practical training and experience and it was a useful year," the Emirati said.
Al Muhairi, who is an instructor at the Yas Driving School said: "Beyond my role as an instructor, I train a lot. I am still a go-karting racer and I do participate in competitions regularly."
"I am also doing physical training on a weekly basis. Fitness plays a big part so I have to care what I eat, keeping myself in good shape. Each month I take part in two to three races. I am also participating in the UAE GT Championship. I am sponsored by Yas Marina Circuit and I won my last race here in March 2011," he said.
"I can see myself from last year and I am improving. Every day I learn something and I have decided to give it my best shot, to work hard and try and get to the maximum level," Al Muhairi said.